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Start our own Charter School.
Topic Started: Dec 22 2005, 09:58 AM (5,860 Views)
fyi
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Let's start our own charter school with one of those closed LPS buildings!
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amomof2
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That's not a bad idea at all! They just opened one in Livonia 2 years ago. We could add one more. There'll be plenty of buildings available for it... How about Dickinson?
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Elisa
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Someone contact the guy Detroit chased out, Thompson, I think he name was. He wanted to build several charter schools and they ran him out of town. Last I heard he was hooking up with the Skillman Foundation and giving it another go in Detroit. He has a boat load of money, if they don't want it in the city, I'm sure many would appreciate it here! :D
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fyi
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Charter schools are funded by the state just like LPS. We need more choices in the City of Livonia.
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Elisa
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Yes, they receive the per pupil grant and operate under the same standards as the public schools. But you have to find an organization or individual to sponsor the charter. One of the largest sponsors here in Michigan is the National Heritage Academy, in cooperation with Central Michigan University. Some one also started a small montessori charter on Middlebelt, I do not know where they got their start up backing from. But you need the financial backing before you can get to the point of receiving the per pupil grant. LPS is not going to fund a charter. The Heritage academies are expanding, they maybe interested in moving into Livonia. Their Canton Charter is doing really well.
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Elisa
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Steps to starting a charter school. We definetly have the power to do this...





http://www.uscharterschools.org/pub/uscs_docs/r/steps.htm


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Elisa
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EMU chartered the Ann Arbor Learning Community school in 1998. They are a k-8. The university has a charter schools office that oversees and gives technical support and direction to the school. I understand that they are doing quite well, even in a community that is generally very happy with their traditional schools.
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bmom
Principal
Elisa
Dec 22 2005, 10:19 AM
Someone contact the guy Detroit chased out, Thompson, I think he name was.  He wanted to build several charter schools and they ran him out of town.  Last I heard he was hooking up with the Skillman Foundation and giving it another go in Detroit.  He has a boat load of money, if they don't want it in the city, I'm sure many would appreciate it here! :D

I would be most interested in a Charter School. We were just talking about this last night!!! We were thinking that the city of Livonia would probably try to stop it as it would have such a negative impact on LPS. Would it have to make it thru the Planning Commission, City Council? If so, will they back the BOE and the LPS? My guess is yes. This would be such a great alternative for those who cannot afford private school. I have heard so many great things about the one in Canton. I know one person who sends their children there and she loves it. It was opened easily because of all the new neighborhoods in the south end of Canton were slated to go to schools in Van Buren Twp. I believe. It filled quickly. I for one would consider this as an option. Maybe someone with more political background on getting something like this thru can brainstorm. Or, the charter school could be opened just outside Livonia!!!!
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amomof2
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I could be wrong - but I don't recall there being a big issue with the charter school that just opened 2 years ago in Livonia. I remember it filled up quickly. They were starting out as K-3, and were supposed to try and add one grade level per year after that. I don't know if that's happened or not. I seem to recall the amount of funding that they receive per pupil is upwards of $7800+ per student.
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Elisa
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There is a charter school in a church building on Middlebelt between 5 mile and 96. I haven't heard of any issues. The school has a Montessori philosophy. My daughter's violin teacher lives in redford and decided to send her child there this year. They are very happy with the education and the staff. As far as where their start up money was obtained and who charters them, I am unsure. It wouldn't be difficult to find out.
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Elisa
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A very solid study: "Making the (Better) Grade: A Detailed Statistictal Analysis Of The Effect of National Heritage Academies on Student MEAP Scores"

In short, the longer a student attends one of the academies, they see a corresponding increase in MEAP scores.



http://www.heritageacademies.com/nha/assets/hillsdale.pdf
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TAB
Principal
Just a quick note here.....looking for a charter school location?....don't look at any of these vacant schools.....policy is not to lease to anyone who's opening a charter school.....

Tom
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Elisa
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This is the link to CMU's Charter School Office. It leads you through the entire process of applying for a charter. Of course, it is a huge undertaking, but this at least gives those who may be interested a realistic idea of what is involved.



http://www.cmucso.org/charter.asp?link=bec...rt.htm&Menu=a=1
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fyi
Principal
I was joking when I said we should look into LPS buildings. It stands to reason they would not allow us use them. A charter school would hurt LPS.
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Elisa
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Thanks, Tom. I understand the limitations of building space. But limitations often lead to innovation. Case in point, the Henry Ford Academy. A joint venture between Ford and RESA, now how is that for looking beyond building space to develop a truly creative, dynamic and enriching enviroment. Not to mention the collaboration between the two founders. This is the stuff of the future Tom. We need to challenge this district to do more while this group helps parents realize that more IS possible. Certainly, we can and should expect more than simply a configuration plan. A plan that does little more than warehouses children while leaving out the only piece (teaming) that could add actual value to that configuration. Tom, our 5/6 plan it is a skeleton with no meat on it. LPS sold the plan on the name recognition of Novi, what is going to happen when the rest of the district finds out that we are not getting what Novi has?
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